Mini-Dorms, and a Bar and High Rises?? — The connection between them and one developer.
Mini-Dorms
BNC readers will remember the epic of the beloved landmarked Bartlett Houses at 2201-05 Blake along with its “companion” project at 2204 Dwight Way. These were the two projects that were to be connected across the rear of both lots in a proposal by Nathan George to build new dwelling units that would increase the number of bedrooms on the two parcels from the current 23 to 35 and build a subterranean parking structure for 6 cars. Mr. George’s proposal was denied by the Zoning Adjustments Board (ZAB) at a public hearing that was held on July 10, 2014 that was heavily attended by neighbors. The findings (reasons why) in support of the denial were approved by the ZAB on July 24, 2014. Increased density over what is called for in the General Plan was an important reason (but not the only one) for the denial.
Readers should see previous issues of BNC eNEWS for details on these projects.
The appeal period for the project at 2204 Dwight Way and 2201-05 Blake was set to expire on August 13, 2014. On August 12th at 12:34 pm, an appeal of the Board’s decision for these projects was filed by Marc Madrigal of 2201 Blake Street. In his appeal, Mr. Madrigal makes the following points: (emphasis has been added by BNC)
- My family and I currently rent a home on the property and we plan for our growing family to stay here for many months to come.
- We routinely receive comments from passing neighbors on the beauty of this property.
- We were made aware of the plans to complete this property before we moved in and we look forward to the completion of the rear gardens where the proposed project is located
- We would someday like to buy property here, we would not be able to in its current unfinished state without the proposed condo map conversion.
- This project has been publicly misrepresented by reports of rowdy parties late into the night. This is thoroughly untrue.
- I have walked inside many of the properties managed by Nathan George and I can testify that he treats these historic Berkeley homes with great attention and care.
- I will provide more supporting material prior to the hearing.
Mr. Madrigal’s appeal mentions a “condo map conversion” and “rear gardens.” There is no condo map involved in this project (although that’s not to say that at some point Mr. George might submit one) and its entirely unclear where the “rear gardens” that Mr. Madrigal speaks of would be located.
Readers will recall that Mr. George’s proposal is to construct a new 2-story 3,000 square foot duplex on the northeast corner and behind the Bartlett Houses. Both of the units in the new duplex will have 3 bedrooms and 2 baths. The new duplex will sit on top of a subterranean garage that will provide parking for 6 cars from both the Blake Street and Dwight Way projects and a 432 square foot single story dwelling unit will be created within a relocated accessory building on the northwest side of the Blake Street lot. The accessory building was once a stable. There will be 1 surface parking space adjacent to the accessory building in a driveway off of Fulton.
Two new dwelling units at the rear of 2204 Dwight Way will be constructed. A driveway on Dwight Way through this lot will provide access to the below grade parking garage under the new Blake Street duplex.
The appeal will be placed on the Council agenda sometime in September.
And a Bar
In the meantime, an article appeared in Berkeleyside regarding the re-opening of the long-closed bar known as Spats located at 1974 Shattuck Avenue near the intersection of Shattuck and University. The article featured a smiling photo of Nathan George, identifying him as one of about a dozen people, including UC Berkeley Alumni who were going to re-open the bar which has been closed since 2009. These investors have also been identified by Mr. George as “friends and family.” The target date for opening the bar was said to be set for this fall.
Mark Rhoades, a former high-level city of Berkeley planner, is apparently also involved with the Spats project as well as with other Nathan George projects (he was a presenter of Mr. George’s project at 2404 Warring which the ZAB unanimously approved on July 24, 2014 and at the ZAB hearing for the Blake/Dwight Way project). The developer of the Spats project is 1974 Shattuck, LLC which has opened office space at 1900 block of University Avenue . The person identified as the Agent for this LLC is Terence N. Church of Walnut Creek.
Spats dates back to the 60s. It was known as Oleg’s in the 70s before becoming Spats. There are all sorts of stories about the Grateful Dead getting its start, Robin Williams playing cards and the cast of The Rocky Mountain Horror Story after playing at the old UC Theater hanging out there. Some BNC members remember former Council Member Leo Bach, a conservative, drinking his favorite mixture of milk and scotch at Spats, greatly enjoying himself while debating politics with whoever happened to be present.
Spats had a reputation of being rather dirty, particularly the upholstered furniture (a 15′ long sofa is said to have come from a Berkeley brothel), forgettable food, high prices and weird ambiance. It was generally considered to be sort of a dive with rumors that it’s owner — before it became Spats — was involved in some sort of auto theft ring.
It never was just a beer place, and many remember it was the place to order a Fog Cutter, a concoction said to be introduced by Trader Vic’s which started out on San Pablo Avenue before moving to its present location in Emeryville (but that’s another whole new story.) However, the Fog Cutter at Spats was different from the one from Trader Vic’s because the Spats drink came with dry ice so it produced a spooky, rather spectacular fog rising from the glass. Supposedly the liquor license for Spats is still active (although we’ve also been told that the license expired in August of this year) and Mr. George is quoted in the Berkeleyside article as saying “It’s the only liquor license on the block. It could be a really nice space.” Readers just might want to check out this issue’s On The Neighborhood Food Prowl section for more information about Fog Cutters.
Reportedly Spats was on the market in 2011 for $1.75 million for “2 lounge areas, a dining room, large banquet room with an operable atrium roof and direct access to parking, a commercial kitchen and 2 bars.” A person who made a comment regarding the Berkeleyside story reported that it actually sold for $2,080,000. We guess the $33,000 price difference isn’t that important, but the “direct access to parking” might be, given that the City has set its sights on converting that location to housing.
In newspaper interviews regarding his involvement in this project, Mr. George has said that he and his partners are exploring the long term possibility of building housing above Spats which would be preserved. Due to location and proximity to BART, Mr. George described the block as “one of the most critical corners in Berkeley as far as dense development.” It’s apparent that Mr. George is becoming more and more involved in properties across the City. He describes his activities as “Berkeley building Berkeley.”
The High Rises
We thought you might be interested to know that the soon-to-be-reopened, renovated Spats is directly across the Street from two of Berkeley’s dense downtown core buildings:
- The Acheson Building, 2133 University Avenue, owned by Equity Residential (Sam Zell), approved by ZAB, effective July 8, 2013
- 75 feet high, with mechanical penthouses, elevator equipment rooms and other architectural elements that will exceed that height limit
- 205 residential units with the developer to choose between
- 185 units, plus 20 affordable on this site or
- 205 units on this site, plus payment of $5.7 million into the City’s Housing Trust Fund which would presumably build the affordable units elsewhere
- commercial ground floor
- 8,000 sq ft restaurant serving beer and wine that can be open between the hours of 6:00 am to 2:00 am
- 22,000 square feet of retail space
- The Bay Properties Building, 1951-1975 Shattuck, owned by Bay Properties, Inc, San Francisco, not yet approved
- 120 feet high, 12 stories
- All residential units are 2 bedroom, 20% are affordable, developer is NOT asking for a density bonus
- Commercial on ground floor with 20 ft of open space along Shattuck Avenue
- Some 2-story office spaces included